Emma Watson To Star In Sofia Coppola’s Next Film ‘The Bling Ring’

Emma Watson To Star In Sofia Coppola's Next Film 'The Bling Ring'

…and just like that, Emma Watson has quickly and boldly distanced herself from Hermione. Now that the franchise is over, the “Harry Potter” actress has been making strides to distance herself from the character she’s best known for. And she’s been making smart moves. She took a small (if thankless) role in “My Week With Marilyn,” has the teen drama “Perks of Being a Wallflower” on the way this year, will next star in ‘Potter’ helmer David Yates‘ depression drama “Your Voice In My Head” and recently signed on to the lead in Guillermo del Toro‘s “Beauty and the Beast.” And yet again, she’s made another great move.

The actress will lead Sofia Coppola‘s next effort, “The Bling Ring.” The project first surfaced before the end of last year, and it’s another view of the wealthy and privileged, albeit with a different twist. The film will be based on the true story on The Burglar Bunch aka Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch aka The Bling Ring, a group of teenagers who pulled off some brazen heists of celebrity homes, including those of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel Bilson, Megan Fox and Orlando Bloom, taking up to $3 million dollars worth of goods. The group was made up seven affluent teenagers, including Alexis Neiers, a socialite of sorts who, at the time, was filming her own reality show “Pretty Wild.”

While early reports suggested Neiers’ sister Tess Taylor would be taking a role, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Moreover, we wouldn’t be surprised if Coppola uses the true story merely as a jumping off point, although it remains to be seen what approach she will take. Either way, Coppola has shown a tremendous talent for bringing out the best in the actresses she works with and we’re excited to see what she’ll do here.

Coppola will write and direct the picture, with filming to take place in Los Angeles. No word yet on a start date. [Variety]